Findagrave Memorial #: 0
(There may be a Findagrave Memorial, but we have not recorded it)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Alias?: None notedPension?: UnknownPortrait?: UnknownCollege?: Not FoundVeterans Home?: Not Found
(State digraphs will show that this soldier spent some time in a state or national soldier's home)

Remarks: George B Plumb is listed in GAR Memorial Ceremonies, 1893, as a Private in Co. A 2nd VT Vols who was buried in the Village Cemetery in Bennington, however, no stone was found when transcribing in 1987.

George B. Plumb

Bennington BannerJune 13, 1861

Death of George B. Plumb

Our community was thrown into deep gloom and heart-felt sorrow on Thursday evening last, upon learning by telegraph that Private George B. Plumb of Co. A, of the 2nd Reg. of Vermont Volunteers, which left this place on the morning of that day for their rendezvous at Burlington, had been suddenly launched into eternity, while passing in the cars from Rutland to Middlebury. It appears that young Plumb, like many others traveling, anxious to catch a glimpse of the colleges at Middlebury, and to view the beautiful scenery adjacent thereto, had climbed to the top of the car when, as is alleged by one of his comrades, about four miles this side of the that village. Soon after taking this position, a bridge had to be passed which, in his eagerness to catch a sight of the college buildings and other matters of interest to him, or from the effects of the smoke from the engine, he failed to notice, and the consequence was that he was hit in the rear part of the head by the timbers of the bridge, fracturing his skull in a shocking manner. The accident was not discovered till the train reached Middlebury station, where one of the volunteers discovered blood trickling down on the side of the car, drops of which fell upon his coat sleeve, as his arm rested on the window. The young man gave the alarm that some one upon the car had been injured, and proceeded at once to the top of the car where his eyes met a sight too horrible for poor frail humanity to look upon without experiencing sensations of faintness akin to death itself.

There lay young PLUMB, whom they all respected and loved, weltering in his own blood, and in the last agonies of expiring natureperfectly unconscious of his situation or of what hurt him. He was immediately removed to the station, and the best of all medical and surgical aid procured; but all efforts to arouse him or save him were unavailing, and in a few hours he had passed away in the buoyancy of youth and with a heart throbbing high in anticipation of being able to do something toward rescuing his country from its present perilous condition. His remains were brought to this place for burial, in charge of Lieut. Cady and four privates of the Company on Friday afternoon. All the flags in the village were at half-mast. Hundreds of citizens assembled at the Depot, together with the New Company of Zouaves and the Bennington Light Infantry, and with the Band in advance - playing a funeral dirge escorted the remains of the "Young Volunteer" to that home on earth which he had but a few hours previous left in health and with brilliant anticipations. Alas ! how frail are all things of an earthly nature. "Verily man is altogether vanity." God takes away our breath, and we die, and are hid from mortal sight.

His funeral took place at the Congregational Church on Sunday afternoon, and a very affecting discourse was preached by his pastor, the Rev. C.H. Hubbard, from the words uttered by the Psalmist, "Clouds and darkness are round about him." Services in all the other churches in town were suspended, in order that all might go to the house of mourning and there drop the sympathizing tear over the remains of one whose memory they wish long to cherish. At least a thousand people were in attendance. Embraced in this number were the two new military Companies and the band. The processsion was long and very imposing, which was conducted in true military style by George M. Evans, Esq., of the Seventh New York Regiment who chanced to be in the village visiting his parents.

Most deeply do all mourn his sudden call; and the bereaved family have the kind and tender sympathies of a whole town. We have met a loss, but not so with him. He inherits "a far more exceding and eternal weight of glory "laid up for him in heaven, than can be gained in the din of battle and the clash of arms. The former is enduring while the latter is transient and must soon pass away like the summer cloud or the early dew. - Then, "Young Volunteer, " sleep on and take your rest, until the trump of the Archangel shall summon you and all the nations of the earth, to come to judgment. The age of our young friend was nineteen years.

A very sad and affected accident occurred at this place yesterday, causing perhaps as much feeling as the death of a common citizen could cause. An extra train for the purpose of conveying volunteers to their place of rendezvous at Burlington, left Rutland, having on board five companies from Bennington, one from Castleton, and the others from the southern part of the state. When they were within two miles and a half of this place, one of the Bennington boys (George Plumb) got up on the top of the train, for what purpose no one could imagine, but before he had learned his situation he was struck in the back of the head by a bridge that crossed the river at that place. The blow threw him upon his face in the middle of the car, in which position he rode until within a half mile of this place, when he was found by the blood running from the top of the car. The train was stopped, and Plumbs body was taken off, but was perfectly unconscious, and remained so until he died.

He was taken to Middlebury to the "Addison House" where it was discovered that his skull was crushed badly. An operation of "trepanning" was performed by Doctor Russell, but of no avail, he died about 9 P.M., having been hurt about three hours an a half. The people of Middlebury obtained a very excellent coffin for his remains and his corpse was carried to the depot today (Saturday) wrapped in the Stars and Stripes that he was so willing to defend, escorted by the "College Military Company, " and by hundreds of townsmen.

Thus fell one who so nobly offered himself to his country's service, before he had hardly left sight of home. His friends and the company to which he was attached feel his loss extremely.